10 unmissable foodie hotspots in Lancashire

By Dayna McAlpine

With an ever-growing mix of regional food on offer and an expanding restaurant scene, the autumn is a great time to visit Lancashire for a short break.

Whether you’re all about touring the taverns, stocking up on local produce or indulging at Michelin-star restaurants – we’ve rounded up 10 of the must-visit spots in Lancashire that any food-lover would be mad to miss.

1. Bowland Brewery Beer Hall at Holmes Mill
You won’t struggle to find space for you and a gaggle of friends in this hall – it is home to the longest continuous bar in Britain, measuring over 30 meters!

Whether your preferred brew comes in a cask or a keg, weak or strong, light or dark; with 42 artisan hand-pulled cask ales and fridges full to the brim, no one will struggle to find their perfect pint.

If you’ve worked up an appetite walking the length of the bar, there’s plenty of food that’s been designed specifically to complement the ales – think chilli dogs, jerk chicken and pies. Bottoms up.

2. Cowman’s Sausage Shop
Okay I’m not going to lie, I’ve been sitting looking at the menu of this award-winning sausage shop for way too long. You’ve been warned, you’re going to lose a lot of time and get a whole lot of hungry.

Based in Clitheroe, Cowman’s Famous Sausage Shop sells over 76 varieties of sausage – from beef and Guinness to  Thai pork. Every single product created at Cowman’s includes specially-selected local ingredients and, set in the looming presence of Clitheroe Caste, it’s the perfect place to visit (and stock up on a lifetime supply of sausages) on a day out in the historic town.

3. Northcote
Headed up by Great British Menu favourites Nigel Haworth and Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Northcote is loyal to local artisan producers and the great larder of Lancashire – offering up fine dining but with true Northern hospitality.

Not content with just eating at the Michelin-star kitchen? You can broaden your cooking horizons at one of Northcote’s full-day cookery courses such as Great British Baking, Patisserie or create seasonal specials with Lisa herself.

4. Atkinson’s The Music Room
J Atkinson and Co. have been supplying tea and coffee to the good citizens of Lancaster and surrounding areas since a young Queen Vic came to the crown in 1837 – it’s safe to say that they know what they’re doing when it comes to making a good brew.

They have three venues which make up Lancaster’s Coffee Quarter: firstly, their original shop which dates the whole way back to the 1830s. Secondly, their cafe, a 1730’s Rococo Pavilion. Their newest addition to their venue list, The Hall, a restored art deco hall, is one of the county’s best loved coffee houses, a true comfort zone for caffeine lovers.

5. Freemason’s at Wiswell
Pork pies cooked in brioche, a cellar with over 250 wines and tasting menus with five or seven courses; it comes as no surprise that Freemason’s snatched the title of Britain’s Best Pub for 2016 in the Good Food Guide.

Set in the beautiful countryside of the Ribble Valley, nestled in the medieval village of Wiswell, the inn itself was once three small cottages. These days the inn continues to add to its list of awards with chef-proprietor Steven Smith at the helm.

6. Dewlay Cheesemakers
This cheesemakers deserves a day trip just for them alone: watch Dewlay’s famous cheeses being made from their purpose-built viewing gallery, learn about it’s unique history in the museum and sample your way around the award-winning shop. Their stuff is so top notch that they even sell their Garstang White (their family’s version of brie) to the French!

7. Booths
The legendary family-owned food and wine retailer is less of a supermarket and more of a spectacular food hall championing regional produce. Set up in 1847, Booths today has an esteemed reputation with local producers, farmers and shoppers alike for supporting it’s region.

Discover regional delicacies such as Herdwick lamb and Lancashire blue cheese amongst Booths own famous label coffee, roasted and ground by Booths themselves.

8. The Parker’s Arms
Deep in the flourishing Forest of Bowland, The Parker’s Arms acts as the pinnacle of proper pub classics, but not as you know them. Stosie Madie, Lebanese-French chef and proprietor serves up an impressive menu of local produce such as saltmarsh lamb and cockle pie with pickled samphire.

9. La Locanda

Lancashire isn’t the expected home of one of the best Italian restaurants outside of London but, nestled away on the high street of the tiny village of Gisburn, chef Maurizio and his wife Cinzia combine authentic Italian cuisine with local Lancashire produce.

The traditional Italian concept of “chilometro zero” (mile zero) acts as the principle behind the ingredients used in the preparation of the dishes and the restaurant boasts an impressive list of local producers. Expect the freshest pasta (Maurizio makes it every morning for the coming evening’s service) and the most reasonable prices at this hidden gem.

10. Eagle and Child
There is nothing we love more at delicious. HQ than a good Sunday roast and, with Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch under their belts, Eagle and Child is an absolute must on our Lancashire hotspot list. Try their award-winning ‘double bomber’ cheese and onion pie with their own recipe brown sauce and a pint of local ale.

For more places to visit and things to do in Lancashire visit: www.visitlancashire.com